There are a lot of opportunities out there for bartenders, especially good ones. You could work at fancy restaurants, resorts, country clubs, nightclubs and more.

Interested in becoming a bartender? This guide should give you a good overview on what to expect and how to go about beginning the process.

Know Your State’s Requirements

Each state in the USA has their own requirements to become a bartender. This is the first thing you should become familiar with so you’ll know what’s expected of you. All states have a minimum age for you to get started bartending, and you should pay attention to this and make sure you meet the age requirement first. Some states have further licensing such as alcohol awareness courses and training to spot fake IDs.

In most states you’re not legally required to attend any sort of formal bartending training to become a bartender. With that being said, you should still know the basics so a bar would be interested in hiring you. Definitely check out these recommended bartending books to help lay a groundwork for your professional development.

Courses Can Be Helpful

If you do decide to take some courses at a bartending school, then you should get a grasp on exactly how it will benefit you. Many people have mixed opinions on bartending school, since it doesn’t have the best success rate with job placement, however you can learn some valuable information and make important networking connections while attending.

You Will Probably Need To Work Your Way Up

Even with bartending schools, you should consider working your way up to bartender since many bars promote their current barbacks, cocktail servers, waiters and waitress to become their bartenders. Everyone has to start somewhere! It may be a good idea to get an entry level position at a bar while simultaneously taking classes as well.

Understand It Will Be Physically And Mentally Demanding

Seven Kamikazes! Four Kentucky Mules! Go, go, go!

Even though you’re surrounded by entertainment, being a bartender isn’t all fun and games. You’re going to be pushed to your limits, handling crowds of people and having to constantly be running back and forth without breaks serving mobs of people drinks while keeping your fundamentals in check.

A lot of people can’t handle being a bartender for their career, but if you find yourself in a good job with easy to please customers, you could make a comfortable living doing this! Before going in though, you need to understand that it’s not going to be a cakewalk, because bartending is a difficult job for most people who pursue it.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The best way for you to become a skilled bartender is through practicing on your own time. As they say, practice makes perfect and the only way you’re going to get better at bartending is by working on your skills in the field!

The best bartenders in the world didn’t just read a book or have the best tools for bartending, but they managed to practice in real life and get good at implementing what they learned! So make sure you have these essential bartending tools at home and serve your friends and families drinks as much as possible to practice!

Conclusion

Overall, you should have a good understanding of what it takes to become a bartender. It’s not going to be easy, but if you work hard to make your way up the roster, meet all of the requirements and practice as much as possible, you can end up being a very successful bartender.